Celtic captain Callum McGregor responds to remarks made by Kris Boyd and James McFadden in the aftermath of the Auchinleck win.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has delivered a calm but pointed response to remarks made by pundits Kris Boyd and James McFadden following Celtic’s hard-fought win over Auchinleck, comments that quickly sparked debate across Scottish football.

The Hoops progressed as expected, but the aftermath of the match was dominated less by the result and more by post-match analysis from Boyd and McFadden, who questioned Celtic’s overall performance, intensity, and mentality against lower-league opposition. While neither pundit disputed the outcome, their tone suggested that Celtic’s display raised concerns about standards and attitude, particularly given the gulf in resources between the two sides.

Speaking in the days after the match, McGregor addressed the criticism with the composure that has defined his captaincy. Rather than engaging in a war of words, the midfielder focused on context, professionalism, and the realities of cup football.

“When you come into these games, especially away from home, there’s always a narrative waiting,” McGregor said. “People look at the scoreline and expect it to be comfortable, but football doesn’t work like that. These matches are about getting through, respecting the opposition, and doing your job properly.”

McGregor acknowledged that Celtic had room to improve but rejected the suggestion that the players lacked motivation or respect for the occasion. He stressed that cup ties against teams like Auchinleck are often more demanding than they appear on paper, particularly when the opposition treats the fixture as the biggest game in their history.

“Teams raise their level against Celtic. That’s something we’ve lived with for years,” he added. “Pitches are different, the atmosphere is different, and the game becomes more about character than rhythm. Anyone who’s played football understands that.”

Without naming Boyd or McFadden directly, McGregor made it clear that players are well aware of external commentary but remain focused on internal standards rather than studio criticism.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. That’s part of the game,” he said. “But inside the dressing room, we judge ourselves by different measures. We look at whether we were professional, whether we managed the game, and whether we came away with the right result.”

The Celtic captain also highlighted the importance of perspective, reminding critics that even elite teams across Europe have struggled in domestic cup competitions.

“You see it every season, big teams getting knocked out because they didn’t take a game seriously enough,” McGregor explained. “We didn’t do that. We stayed disciplined, we stayed calm, and we got the job done.”

McGregor’s response was widely praised by Celtic supporters, many of whom felt the criticism from Boyd and McFadden was unnecessarily harsh. On social media, fans pointed to the captain’s measured tone as evidence of strong leadership and maturity within the squad, particularly at a stage of the season where results often matter more than performances.

The midfielder also used the opportunity to praise Auchinleck, noting their organisation and commitment throughout the match.

“They were excellent. They made it difficult, and they should be proud of how they represented themselves,” he said. “That’s what cup football is about.”

As Celtic prepare for tougher challenges ahead, McGregor made it clear that the focus will remain firmly on progression and silverware, not post-match soundbites.

“We know the standards at this club. We set them ourselves,” he concluded. “As long as we keep winning and moving forward, that’s what matters most.”

In a week dominated by debate and opinion, Callum McGregor’s response served as a reminder of why he continues to be a respected figure both on and off the pitch, steady, composed, and unwavering in his belief in Celtic’s collective strength.Celtic collective strength